The IRS wants to remind taxpayers that there’s still time to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit—but the clock is ticking! If you didn’t file your 2021 tax return and believe you were eligible for a stimulus payment, you could receive a refund of up to $1,400. The deadline to file is April 15, 2025—so don’t miss out!
Who Can Still Claim the Credit?
You may qualify for this credit if:
✅ You were eligible for a 2021 Economic Impact Payment but never received it.
✅ You haven’t filed a 2021 tax return yet.
✅ You have a valid Social Security number and meet IRS income guidelines.
Even if you had little or no income in 2021, you may still be eligible. The IRS recommends checking your online IRS account to confirm your status.
Automatic Refunds for Some Taxpayers
The IRS has already identified nearly one million people who qualified but didn’t claim their stimulus payment. To simplify things, many of these refunds were sent automatically—without extra paperwork!
Here’s how payments were processed:
💰 Direct Deposit: If you had a bank account listed on your 2023 tax return, the IRS sent your payment straight to your account.
📬 Paper Check: If no bank details were on file, a check was mailed to your last known address.
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel assured taxpayers in December 2024:
“We’re making sure these payments reach the people who need them—without requiring them to file an amended return.”
Not sure if you got your payment? Log into your IRS account to check.
How to Claim Your Missing Stimulus Payment
If you never received your stimulus check (or got less than expected), here’s how to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit:
🔹 Determine which tax year applies:
- First & Second Stimulus Checks (2020 payments)? File a 2020 tax return.
- Third Stimulus Check (2021 payment)? File a 2021 tax return.
🔹 Check your IRS account for past stimulus payments under “Economic Impact Payment Information.”
🔹 Look for IRS notices about your stimulus payments:
- Notice 1444 → First stimulus check (2020)
- Notice 1444-B → Second stimulus check (2020)
- Notice 1444-C → Third stimulus check (2021)
🔹 File your tax return before April 15, 2025, and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit if eligible.
Don’t Wait—Claim Your Money Before It’s Too Late!
The IRS is giving taxpayers a final chance to get the stimulus money they’re owed. If you’re eligible, act now and file before the deadline to secure your refund!